Topic
Employment
1,754 speeches · 310 speakers
Party share
By the speaker's party · counts only, no scoring. "Unattributed" = speeches not resolved to an MP.
Most active on this topic
| # | Member | Speeches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hon. Sajith Premadasa, M.P. SJB | 84 |
| 2 | Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, M.P. NDF | 78 |
| 3 | Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha, M.P. JJB | 60 |
| 4 | Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa, M.P. JJB | 45 |
| 5 | Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe, M.P. JJB | 41 |
| 6 | Hon. Sunil Handunnetti, M.P. JJB | 32 |
| 7 | Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, M.P. JJB | 31 |
| 8 | Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe, M.P. JJB | 30 |
| 9 | Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, M.P. NDF | 29 |
| 10 | Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, M.P. SJB | 23 |
Speeches
1,754 on this topic- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Hector Appuhamy) SJB AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism seeking detailed SLBFE data on registered Sri Lankan housemaids who left for overseas employment from 2015 to date, including annual and country-wise figures. It also asked whether their records are maintained in the SLBFE data system, the numbers who died, committed suicide, or suffered accidents, and what welfare measures are taken by the Bureau for them. Second Round of Oral Questions (Q.10 and Tabled Answers) Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Recruitment in the Postal Department had faced significant delays, but action has been taken over the past year and a half to expedite the process. The Government is proceeding to recruit 1,000 Postal Substitutes/Assistants, which is expected to fill staffing gaps and provide public service opportunities for those who have been waiting. Oral Question 7 (1457/2025): Post Offices in Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya Districts Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran asked whether eight long-serving Registered Substitutes working as Postal Assistants in Mullaitivu would receive permanent appointments within the year. He also requested clarification on whether their previous service would be recognized in making those appointments. Oral Question 7 (1457/2025): Post Offices in Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya Districts Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary Minister Nalinda Jayatissa provided staffing and transport details for postal services in Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya, reporting vacancies of 25, 32 and 56 respectively. He said a 2025 recruitment exam for Supervisory Management Assistants produced only about 326 qualified candidates against 600 intended appointments, including 1 for Mullaitivu, 3 for Mannar and 2 for Vavuniya. He stated that Mullaitivu does not currently justify a separate Divisional Superintendent’s Office because of the number of post and sub-post offices, and confirmed that all districts have mail transport facilities, with vehicles allocated to Vavuniya and additional lorries and crew cabs provided nationally. Oral Question 7 (1457/2025): Post Offices in Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya Districts Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage JJB AI summary Sunil Kumara Gamage stated that Sports Officers for Divisional Secretariats are appointed by the Provincial Council. He said discussions are underway with the Provincial Council to address existing vacancies and ensure appointments, citing their relevance to sports development. Oral Question 6 (1337/2025): Sports Officers and District Youth Service Officer in Ampara Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe raised concern over 13 Sports Officer vacancies in Ampara, noting that Attalaichenai Divisional Secretariat lacks a Sports Officer and therefore cannot hold its divisional sports meet. He argued that the Ampara district sports meet should not proceed before the Attalaichenai divisional meet is held, tabled the programme, and requested that the divisional meet be conducted first. Oral Question 6 (1337/2025): Sports Officers and District Youth Service Officer in Ampara Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Asked the Minister to ensure that ongoing recruitment of Youth Service Officers includes a permanent District Youth Service Officer (Tamil) for Tamil-speaking areas in Ampara, noting that the current arrangement is only a temporary appointment. Oral Question 6 (1337/2025): Sports Officers and District Youth Service Officer in Ampara Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary The Minister stated that Sports Officers of the Department of Sports Development are appointed only to District Secretariats, while officers at Divisional Secretariat level fall under Provincial Councils, so no departmental postings exist at that level. He said there is currently no Tamil-medium Senior District Youth Service Officer in Ampara, with a Sinhala-medium officer acting in the role and Tamil-medium Youth Service Officers assigned to cover relevant areas. Approval has been granted to fill the vacant Senior District Youth Service Officer post through promotions, with applications called and interviews to be held. Oral Question 6 (1337/2025): Sports Officers and District Youth Service Officer in Ampara Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary The member asked the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports to provide details of Sports Officers serving in each of the 20 Divisional Secretary divisions in Ampara District and to state whether the Ministry is aware of 13 long-standing vacancies and what steps are being taken to fill them. He also asked whether the Ministry recognizes the absence of a District Youth Service Officer (Tamil) for Tamil-predominant areas from Dehiattakandiya to Panama, despite previous arrangements for Sinhala and Tamil officers, and whether such an appointment will be made. Oral Question 6 (1337/2025): Sports Officers and District Youth Service Officer in Ampara Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe – Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill seeks to address business and personal insolvency arising from the economic crisis, high interest rates, COVID-related disruption, and bank seizures, particularly affecting SMEs and tourism enterprises. He said the Bill would establish an Insolvency Regulatory Authority, require full disclosure of liabilities and circumstances of distress, and provide an orderly mechanism to restructure, revive, bring in partners, or transfer businesses while minimizing losses. He argued that the framework goes beyond existing Companies Act provisions, reassesses processes such as parate execution, and is intended to strengthen investor and entrepreneur confidence by providing a lawful “second chance.” Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake supported the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill as timely but said it required further corrections to create a practical restructuring mechanism similar to Chapter 11 processes. He proposed extending the 60-day timeframe to 180 days, prioritizing SMEs, establishing specialized district courts, reviewing parate execution separately, and aligning related tax provisions through tax law amendments. He also cautioned that cross-border insolvency provisions require Central Bank assessment of foreign exchange and dollar exposure risks, and argued that business revival, employees, and company continuity should take priority over tax recovery in receivership. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi supported the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill, arguing that Sri Lanka needs a modern framework to replace the 1853 Insolvency Ordinance and improve the ease of doing business. He said the Bill shifts the focus from rapid winding-up to rehabilitation of viable individuals and businesses, including through an Insolvency Regulatory Authority and special attention to MSMEs facing finance, debt-servicing and cash-flow difficulties. Citing Central Bank 2025 credit expansion data, he linked the measure to economic recovery and confidence-building, while stating that the Government aims to strengthen resilience and prevent future collapses. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad raised concerns about alleged irregularities in overseas money transfers, saying the Ministry of Digital Economy and the Government should accept responsibility rather than placing blame solely on public officials, as such incidents could undermine investor confidence. He also cited complaints from crab sellers in Negombo that local authorities are attempting to relocate or evict stalls employing around 1,500 people, and urged that any relocation of small businesses be planned, suitable, and non-arbitrary. He further alleged that some Ministers and local authority heads are using State influence to demand money from businesses for Vesak zones, including from airport hire-car drivers who fear obstruction if they do not pay. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad supported the Bill as a long-prepared measure to assist entrepreneurs and employers, but questioned why its tabling was delayed despite groundwork under the previous government, saying many MSMEs lost assets to bank seizures in the interim. He called for clarity on any government amendments, practical implementation measures, and a longer bank negotiation period of 180 days to support out-of-court business recovery. He also raised concerns about Colombo Port City company registrations and business visas being misused for alleged cybercrime, urging stronger scrutiny of registrations, visas, tax compliance, and post-registration reviews. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha – Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha addressed claims about alleged USD 2.5 million Treasury debt service payments, rejecting related allegations of concealment, reprisals, and links to an officer’s death, and urged those with information to provide it to investigators. He then supported the Rescues, Rehabilitation and Insolvency Bill, stating that it would create an integrated framework for individual and corporate distress, emphasizing pre-insolvency intervention, structured moratoria, professional administration, and orderly liquidation where necessary. He said the Bill would establish an Insolvency Regulatory Authority, protect bona fide businesses while deterring willful default and fraud, improve asset realization, and support investor confidence, FDI, and broader economic recovery. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir AI summary Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir welcomed the Bill as timely relief for small-scale entrepreneurs facing loan and vehicle repossession pressures after successive crises including war, the Easter attacks, cyclones and regional conflict effects. He supported proposed Grade 6 education reforms but urged the Government to address inadequate preparation for Grades 1–5 reforms, including teacher training, technology, textbooks and a nationwide teacher shortage. He also requested streamlined local authority procedures for Muslim Qurbani observances during Hajj, while calling for all religious practices, including Vesak, to be facilitated harmoniously without communal tensions. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana - Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister supported the Bill to create a modern rescue, rehabilitation and insolvency framework, arguing that the current liquidation-focused regime destroys businesses, jobs and entrepreneurial capacity. He said the Bill would provide structured, time-bound mechanisms such as dialogue, restructuring plans and administrative intervention, including an initial 60-day rehabilitation window, to preserve viable enterprises. He linked the need for reform to the impact of Covid-19, the 2022 economic crisis, and pressures on MSMEs, and argued that the legislation would strengthen domestic and foreign investor confidence by aligning Sri Lanka with international insolvency practices. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra rejected claims that the Government had supported the Neelagama incident and accused the Opposition of misinformation, before addressing the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill. He said the Bill modernizes Sri Lanka’s insolvency framework, drawing on older domestic laws and international models, to help viable businesses, especially MSMEs, restructure after shocks rather than face liquidation. Citing crises such as the war, Easter attacks, Covid-19, debt distress and supply chain disruptions, he argued the legislation would protect jobs, preserve asset value and prevent unnecessary business closures, and urged Members to support it. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Sarath Kumara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Sarath Kumara supported the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill at its Second Reading, arguing that existing insolvency laws are inadequate in light of the sharp rise in non-performing loans and the impact of the economic crisis. He said the Bill would shift the legal framework from creditor-focused enforcement toward business rescue, restructuring, orderly liquidation, job protection, and improved creditor recoveries. He highlighted standstill provisions and relief from pressures such as parate enforcement as measures to help debtors and entrepreneurs re-enter economic activity, while linking the reform to restoring investor confidence and economic recovery. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe defended the Government’s approach to public administration and disaster-resilient housing, stating it would protect lawful public officers and build 20,000 homes for people affected by floods and landslides. He said the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill modernizes the 1853 Insolvency Ordinance by prioritizing rescue and rehabilitation before insolvency, with particular relevance to SMEs affected by recent crises and parate action. He outlined provisions including an Insolvency Regulatory Authority, structured repayment and turnaround plans, insolvency practitioners, possible use of District or Commercial Courts, relief for smaller loans and individuals, protection from perpetual credit blacklisting, and standstill periods before parate enforcement. He argued the framework would help viable businesses recover, preserve jobs and supply chains, and attract capital to distressed enterprises. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →